Expedia Expert: Eating and drinking in Sydney

Eating and drinking in Sydney

When comes to going out in Sydney, for casual, business or fine dining meals, drinks, people watching or live entertainment, the choices are endless. We’ve set ourselves the task of doing all this just at Merivale establishments.

Justin Hemmes, at the helm of Merivale, travelled the world and brought a little bit of everything back with him. Merivale’s use of local architects and designers to create larger-than-life venues has changed Sydney’s hospitality scene forever. Sydney now rivals any other city in the world when it comes to bars and food venues.

Business Lunch

If you want to impress and it’s all about the food, you can’t go past est. Set in a beautiful heritage dining room with soaring white columns right in the heart of the CBD, est. delivers dining on a grand scale. Renowned for its trademark contemporary Australian food, the menu at est. is uncluttered, seasonally driven and executed with French-influenced precision. After having a meal at est. you can retreat upstairs to Hemmesphere Bar which draws inspiration from the Ottoman Empire’s sophistication, style and cocktail culture. The bar’s low, comfortable lounges are great for more intimate conversations.

One of the few authentic sushi bars in Sydney is Sushi e, located on the same floor as Hemmesphere. It has a dedicated following of sushi fans around the world – including Tokyo.

Food with friends

If you’re after a more relaxed meal to be shared with a team of friends, Mr. Wong is the place for you. Mr. Wong pays homage to classic Chinese influences in a contemporary style. The Colonial vibe is brought to life through timber floors with tiled inlay, bamboo framed French woven chairs and slow-turning ceiling fans. The Cantonese-style menu has more than 60 dishes and an unrivalled dim sum selection. Half the adventure will be finding Mr. Wong, which is tucked away in one of Sydney’s cool alley ways and half underground.

After dinner, head around the corner to Palmer & Co, an underground 1920s style bar where you can hear live music while sipping your cocktail.

One stop shop

If you’ve shopped your heart out in the CBD and need a break from the hustle and bustle, the Ivy is a one stop shop for a bit of r&r. Home to award-winning restaurants, including Sydney’s only rooftop pool bar, this is where you can recline under shady palms, sip cocktails in one of the private cabanas and snack on gourmet pizzas all under an open air sky. Think Hollywood meets Palm Springs. The pumping poolside DJs are always popular in Summer so expect weekends and weeknights to be busy.

Beach chic

For a seaside escape just 20 minutes drive from the city, Coogee Pavillion is your answer. Whether you’re blowing in off the beach or visiting for a more formal occasion, you can quench your thirst with an organic juice, coffee or cocktail while feasting on the beachfront views of one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Coogee Pavilion celebrates the good things in life – friendship, family, fun and food – all with an ocean view.

Spread over three spectacular levels, Coogee Pavilion is suitable for couples, friends, families and big groups. The upper levels are currently undergoing extensive renovation to open by end of the year but already there’s an Oyster Bar, pizza oven, sit down restaurant, cocktail bar, giant sandpits for the kids and plenty of space for grownups. Coogee Pavilion is a place where the only thing between you and the sea, is some golden sand!

I have only named a few of Merivale’s 50+ venues. If you’ve got time for more, keep exploring the city. Merivale can take from Manly Wharf (Papi Chulo) to the hip Surry Hills (The Beresford Hotel) to great casual or fine dining meals in the heart of the city. End the day at Establishment Hotel, a luxe boutique hotel, with a uniquely intimate feel with almost an arm’s reach away from some of these great venues.

Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs.

About the AuthorLisa Perkovic

Lisa is the Expedia Blog Editor and has spent the past eight years travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines and blogs. She makes sure the Expedia Blog is always stocked with the best stories, travel tips and destination news from our bloggers and Expedia’s experts. Sydney is her base to drop off souvenirs before heading off on the next adventure. Lisa writes about everything from the world’s weirdest dim sum to cruising aboard monster ships.
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